Mixed melons should hit in mid-July

The cantaloupe continues to reign as king of California’s small melon varieties as honeydews play a backup role. The demand for mixed melons, however, remains strong, said grower-shippers.

Turlock Fruit Co., Turlock, Calif., a nearly 90-year-old fixture in the California melon industry, offers 11 varieties of small melons again this season, said Steve Smith. In addition to cantaloupes and honeydews, Turlock Fruit’s inventory includes orange-flesh honeydews, galias and juan canaries, all of which are early season varieties, he said.

“Retailers find the mixed melons are a good complement to cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons,” he said. “And because we’re not moving huge volumes, we can get the harvest dates right, keep the sugar up in them and give our retailers a nice experience,” he said.

The mixed melon harvest is scheduled to begin after July 1, “likely after July 4,” Couture said.